Molinari Takes One-Stroke Lead at Wells Fargo

Italian Francesco Molinari took a 1-stroke lead to the clubhouse after a round at the Wells Fargo Championship Thursday in North Carolina.

Molinari played like a champion, with five birdies in a seven-hole stretch on the front nine and a 20-foot birdie on No. 18. This is the first time the Wells Fargo Championship has been played at Eagle Point in Wilmington. The shift was necessitated by Quail Hollow Club hosting the PGA Championship this year.

Four players are tied for second at 5-under including J.B. Holmes and Alex Noren. World No. 1 Dustin Johnson, playing for the first time in six weeks, is four strokes back after shooting a 2-under 70.

Johnson is after a win in his fourth straight start, something no golfer has done since Tiger Wood strung together five straight victories between the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008.